Chapter 15: Chapter 15

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Holland asks from beside me as she studies the blue Victorian set away from the road.

My teeth scrape across my lower lip as I carefully turn the question over in my head. “Nope. Not at all.”

She snorts. “Just what I love—a well-concocted plan that has little chance of succeeding.”

A fresh burst of nerves prickles at the bottom of my belly as my fingers drift along my collarbone. “I need my necklace back.”

“Here’s an idea you might not have explored—just ask him for it.”

I rip my gaze away from the house long enough to meet her serious one. “He can’t figure out who I am. And I can’t take the chance that River will find out what happened between us either.” I press my lips together and nod, as if trying to persuade myself this is the only path forward.

Because, apparently, I haven’t convinced Holland of it. Her dubious expression tells me everything I need to know. She’s never been one to sugarcoat anything. And with the way she grew up, I can understand the reason for it.

“This is the way it has to be.”

“If you say so…” Doubt creeps into her tone as her voice trails off.

I straighten my shoulders. “I do.”

If only I felt nearly as confident as I sound.

This is me taking a page from the fake-it-until-you-make-it book.

I just hope it doesn’t blow up in my face, because that, unfortunately, seems like a distinct possibility.

“Fine. Let’s go over the plan one more time.”

I suck in an unsteady breath before gradually releasing it back into the atmosphere and attempting to calm the tension that vibrates inside me like a live wire. “As soon as Maverick leaves, I’ll go to the front door and knock. Hopefully, someone I don’t know will answer. I’ll tell them that I left something in Mav’s room last weekend. Then I’ll hightail it up there and search it.”

“And if no one’s home?”

“If the front door is unlocked, I slip inside, haul ass to his room, and hope it’s there.”

“And I’ll wait here, wishing I had some popcorn while you try not to get caught.”

I turn and glare. “I could really use your support and good vibes.”

Her lips crook. “This is me giving you my full support.”

“I know, that’s what’s scary.”

She points toward the house. “Looks like the canary has just flown the coop.”

My head whips toward the front of the Victorian just in time to see Maverick stroll out with one of his teammates. It’s tempting to press closer to the windshield for a better view. Instead, I hunker down, hoping he doesn’t turn and spot me.

Even though Holland’s rattle trap of a vehicle is parked a few doors down the street, I still feel exposed.

“Chickens,” I mutter.

“Huh?”

“I don’t think canaries live in coops. Pretty sure it’s chickens.”

She snorts. “Well, that changes everything.”

I shift on the seat. “Is there any chance you’ll reconsider doing this for me?”

Her eyes widen as she gives her head a vehement shake. “Fuck no!”

“We saw Bridger leave ten minutes before Maverick. There’s no chance you’ll run into him.”

“I don’t care. I refuse to breathe the same air as that dick.” Her tone softens. “As much as I love you, you’re on your own with this one.”

“Fine,” I grumble.

In silence, we watch as Maverick and his friend slide into a black pickup truck and take off.

“It’s now or never,” Holland says. “You’ve got this.”

“I really hope so.”

“Just pretend you’re a dumb bunny looking to get laid. I’m sure there’s a revolving door of them.”

I frown at the idea of that being the case.

Although, Holland is more than likely spot-on in her assessment. Groupies probably crawl out of the woodwork to sleep with Maverick McKinnon. After the night I spent with him, I can totally understand the reason for that.

When a kernel of jealousy blooms to life inside me, I stomp it out.

We had one night together.

He’s probably forgotten all about it by now.

“Get a move on, girl.”

I meet Holland’s steady gaze. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck.” She points toward the house. “Now go.”

I suck in a deep breath before jerking the handle and jumping from the car.

The passenger side window disappears between us. “How cool would it have been if you’d ducked and rolled?”

Before I can respond, she hums the Mission: Impossible theme music as she moves her shoulders from side to side. A reluctant smile simmers at the corners of my lips as I swing away and jog to the concrete walkway and then up the rickety front porch stairs. A tremor slides through me as memories of the way he’d slipped his arm around my waist and held me close tumble through my brain.

Once at the door, I peek inside the beveled windows, looking for signs of life.

There are none.

I throw a cautious glance over my shoulder and meet Holland’s eyes. She gives me a thumbs up sign in response.

Just like she said—it’s now or never.

My fingers wrap around the handle before twisting the knob and shoving the thick wood open. Air gets clogged in my throat as I peer inside and pause to listen. The only thing I’m able to hear is the hammering of my own heart as it echoes in my ears.

I throw another watchful look over my shoulder before slipping inside the entryway. My gaze slides over the interior. It looks different with the bright sunlight pouring in through the windows than it did in the darkness. Or even when I’d snuck out the next morning. I’d been much too intent on escaping to soak in my surroundings.

It reminds me of the house that River shares with a bunch of teammates near East Town University. There’s a masculine presence that lacks any female touches or homeyness.

Just as I take the staircase to the second floor, a deep voice says, “So, is this going to become a regular occurrence? You sneaking in and out of our house?”

For the second time within a week, I yelp and swing around, only to find Hayes leaning against the wall outside the living room.

He grins, taking in the startled expression that must be plastered across my face.

“Funny, you just missed Maverick.” With a tilt of his head, he crosses his brawny arms against his chest. “I could give him a call if you’d like. I’m sure he’d love to see you again.”

“That’s not necessary. The only reason I stopped by is because I, um, left something behind the other day.”

“Night.”

My brow furrows. “What?”

His smile widens. “What I think you meant to say is that you left something behind the other night.” There’s a pause. “When you came home with Maverick.” My cheeks heat. “And then stayed until the wee hours of the morning.”

“Thanks for the recap.”

“No problem. I’m here to help.”

“That’s doubtful.”

“No, really. I’m curious as to what you left behind. Is it a pair of panties? Maybe a bra?”

“Of course not.” I straighten to my full height and point to the second floor. He’s wasted enough of my time. “I’m going to take a look.” Without waiting for a response, I rush up the staircase.

“Just let me know if you’d like some assistance,” he calls after me, voice brimming with humor.

“No thanks,” I mumble beneath my breath. “I’m good.”

It takes a few moments to find his room. I open one door and peek inside before realizing that it’s not the right one. Once I find his private space, I slip inside and shut the door before leaning against it.

My heart feels like it’ll pound right out of my chest.

Only wanting to get this over with, I launch myself toward the bed. The sheets and comforter look like someone just rolled out of them. There’s a maroon Western Wildcats hockey T-shirt crumpled near the end of the mattress. Unable to help myself, I pick up the cottony material and bring it to my nose before inhaling. My eyelids feather close as his masculine scent inundates my senses.

That’s all it takes for memories to hit me like a freight train, knocking me off kilter and sending my pulse thrumming.

No guy should smell this amazing.

I really need to focus on the reason I’ve returned to the scene of the crime.

It’s reluctantly that I drop the shirt and whip back the navy comforter, hoping that my necklace will be there.

Instead, I find the sheets empty.

Crap.

I pick up each pillow and glance beneath them.

Nada.

Then I look between the sheet and the comforter.

In desperation, I drop to my knees and peer under the bed. Swearing under my breath, I pull my phone from my pocket and turn on the flashlight to make sure I haven’t overlooked it.

Other than a pair of shoes and a wadded-up piece of tissue, there’s nothing.

Huffing out a breath, I blow a piece of hair from in front of my eyes as my brain cartwheels.

I really thought I’d find it here.

Is it possible that it fell off at the bar?

Or maybe the hockey arena?

Ugh.

I’ll have to give both places a call.

As tempting as it is to tear the room apart, I need to get moving before my luck runs out. It’s bad enough that I ran into Hayes.

Again.

I’m afraid he’ll mention to Maverick that I dropped by.

Or River.

Just as I reach the door, ready to slip into the hallway, there’s a loud slam from downstairs. A flurry of nerves explodes inside me and sweat springs to my palms as I press my ear against the thick wood, hoping it was Hayes taking off.

Dread pools in my belly when I hear a babble of male voices.

The distinct sound of feet pounding up the staircase has my eyes widening as I search the room, looking for a place to hide. With no other obvious options, I dive into the closet and bury myself at the back of it as the door flies open and Maverick bursts into the room.

Oh, shit.

Is he onto me?

Does he know I’m here?

Did Hayes tell him?

Air gets wedged in my lungs until I’m on the verge of passing out.

The closet door is open half a dozen inches. It’s just enough for me to watch him pause near his desk before reaching down for something on the side of it.

Air leaks from my lungs as he swings around and moves back toward the hallway.

Before he can take another step, he pauses and searches the room with narrowed eyes. His brows pinch as he sniffs the air and makes a second visual sweep of the space before shaking his head.

I wince.

It never occurred to me not to wear perfume.

That was a rookie mistake.

I’d make a terrible spy.

Just when I expect him to leave, he swears under his breath and tosses whatever he’d picked up onto the bed.

Oh god…he knows I’m here. I’m about to be busted.

I’d squeeze my eyes tightly shut, but I can’t stop staring at him.

My mouth tumbles open when he drags down the front of his gray sweatpants and boxers, allowing his cock to spring free.

My heart skips a painful beat as he palms the thick erection.

What the hell is happening here?

There’s no way he’s going to…to…

As soon as those thoughts circle through my brain, his grip tightens around the girth and he hisses out a sharp breath.

Holy crap, yes, he is.

He is most definitely going to⁠—

The harsh sound that falls from his lips is all it takes to have my panties flooding with arousal. From my position in the closet, I have the perfect view.

As he strokes his hard length, his eyelids flutter closed and his head tips back, revealing the thickly corded muscles of his throat.

My mouth turns cottony as my clit throbs with awareness.

I don’t realize that my hand has slipped beneath the band of my leggings and panties until my fingertips brush across the top of my slit and a gasp escapes from me.

That first slide feels so damn good.

Although not nearly as amazing as when he was the one playing with my body.

I clap my other hand over my mouth as fear slices through me.

It’s a relief when he continues jacking himself off. I feel like a total deviant as my fingers rub soft circles across that tiny bundle of nerves.

“Yo, Mav! Let’s get a move on it!” a voice from downstairs calls.

His dark lashes flutter as his expression twists as if in pain.

“I’ll be there in a minute!” he grits from between clenched teeth.

Another groan escapes from him as he tightens his hold, pumping his cock even faster than before. My fingers move at the same speed as my gaze stays glued to the hand job he’s giving himself.

“Fuck,” he growls as pearly fluid erupts from the tip of his cock and lands on the T-shirt crumpled on his bed.

I press my hand tighter against my mouth as my own orgasm streaks through me and my inner muscles spasm.

His rigid stance loosens as he continues to pump his thick length until it softens before my very eyes. A musky scent hangs in the air as my muscles go limp and I slump against the far wall of the closet. My heart beats erratically as my breath comes out in harsh pants.

When he’s finished, he tucks his cock back inside his sweats before plowing his other hand through his hair. Only then do I notice the slight flush staining his cheekbones.

My guess is that mine are tinged a similar shade.

A few seconds later, he disappears through the door.

Holy crap, that was a close one.

Everything that just happened somersaults through my brain.

It’s the sound of the front door slamming that jerks me from my daze, and I force myself to climb out of the closet. As I make my way to my feet, my gaze settles to the bed and the shirt.

I can’t help but step closer to get a better look at what he left behind.

As embarrassed as I am to have witnessed such a private moment, it’s hands down one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.

I almost shake my head.

When the hell did I become such a perv?

Even though I should get the hell out of here, I can’t stop staring at the maroon shirt. The one I’d pressed to my nose and inhaled not more than ten minutes ago. The very same one he just ejaculated all over.

The pearly fluid almost glows against the dark color. Just like in the closet when I’d slipped my fingers down the front of my leggings to touch myself, it’s not a conscious decision to reach out and run them through his jizz. My heart pounds when I find it still warm, fresh from his body. I don’t give it a second thought as I scoop up a dollop and lift it to my lips. My tongue darts out to lick my fingertips. As soon as I do, his scent envelopes me as his salty taste explodes in my mouth.

I can’t resist taking another swipe.

Heat explodes inside my core as a fresh burst of arousal dampens my already wet panties.

It’s so damn tempting to take the shirt with me as a little souvenir of what just happened. Instead, I swing toward the door and slip from the room before hauling ass down the stairs to the first floor.

“Find what you were looking for?”

I pause on the last step and meet Hayes’s amused expression. “No.”

Heat floods my cheeks as I force myself to maintain eye contact.

“Hmm. Maybe we should check lost and found before you take off. Never know what goodies you’ll come across.”

My gaze drops to the small brown box in his hands.

Is this guy serious?

They just throw the random stuff girls leave behind into a cardboard box, not really caring if it ever gets reclaimed?

He pulls out a tiny scrap of black material that I assume is a thong. “Would this happen to be yours?” With a squint, his gaze runs over the length of me. “It’s probably the right size.”

My face scrunches before I can think better of it. “Ewww.”

“Hey, don’t yuck someone else’s yum.”

I don’t bother with a response as I hurry down the last step and head for the door. I’m sure Holland is wondering what happened to me.

“Just out of curiosity, do you know what you’re doing?”

All his previous humor has fled. The seriousness shining in his eyes is far more disconcerting than the thong dangling from his finger.

“No, not at all.”

“Well, good luck with that. We both know that River will shit a brick if he finds out you’ve been banging his archnemesis.”

Ugh.

He’s not wrong.

With nothing left to say to that bit of truth, I slip out the door.